Abstract
IN a recent communication1, Ray attacks the tenet that “the use of hydrogen or helium as the carrier gas in gas Chromatography gives the highest sensitivity with a thermal conductivity detector”. He derives an equation describing katharometer behaviour from which he infers that the carrier gas with the lowest thermal conductivity will give the highest sensitivity. He concludes that nitrogen, argon, or carbon dioxide will provide greater sensitivity than hydrogen or helium. We wish to point out that the conclusion drawn from this equation does not follow generally, although it may be valid in certain instances. Furthermore, a basic assumption in Ray's derivation is contrary to the usual operating procedure for katharometers.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Ray, N. H., Nature, 182, 1663 (1958).
International Critical Tables, 5, 213 (McGraw-Hill, 1930).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
EDEN, M., KARMEN, A. & STEPHENSON, J. Use of Katharometers in Gas Chromatography. Nature 183, 1322 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/1831322a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1831322a0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.